Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
1019013 tn?1252002096

Feel Like I'm a Hypochondriac

Dr. Lupo,

I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's about 19 years ago following surgery to remove a benign thyroglossal duct remnant.  The ENT noted that my thyroid looked suspicious so he performed a biopsy.  I did not exhibit any of the classic symptoms at that time but was told to call him at first sign.  I started with the extreme fatigue about a year later and was referred to an Endo at that time.  He saw me until my levels evened out and then he released me back to my PCP.  In the past 19 years, I have taken Synthroid in varying amounts ranging from an all time high of .225 mg to my current dosage of .150.

Last fall, I was having extreme fatigue and weight gain in spite of regular exercise and balanced diet.  I saw the Physician's Assistant in my PCP's office who ran the normal gambit of thyroid tests.  TSH, Free T3, and Free T4 were normal but the antibodies were extremely high.  She decided that I needed to be taking a natural thyroid hormone instead of a synthetic and put me on 1 grain of Naturethroid.  In less than 2 months, my TSH jumped to 77.86.  When I was tested, my PCP called me at home and changed my meds back to Synthroid on the spot.  How do you feel about synthetic replacement versus natural replacement?  

Any time I mention a symptom to my doctor, I feel like he honestly thinks that I am a hypochondriac so I hate to even go in and see him---other docs do the same as well.  I am a reasonably healthy 50 year old woman who just wants to feel good again.  I know I can if I can just convince a doctor to really listen to me.

Thanks.
2 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
1019013 tn?1252002096
Thank you for your response.  My new doctor will prescribe both but prefers the synthetic.  I had several tests performed earlier this week and will find out something soon.
Helpful - 0
97953 tn?1440865392
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
We tend to prefer synthetics over "natural" (ie, dried out pig thyroid) b/c they are more consistent.  It is possible to do T4/T3 comination with levothyroxine (synthroid) and cytomel -- this may help.  The 1 grain of Nature-thyroid is the equivalent of 100mcg roughly of synthroid -- that's why your TSH went up.
In this case we would consider (assuming 150mcg is keeping TSH in the 0.5-2.5 target range) using 112mcg of synthroid and 5mcg twice daily of cytomel.  About 15-20% of patients respond to this (less fatigue and brain fog).
Helpful - 0

You are reading content posted in the Thyroid Cancer / Nodules & Hyperthyroidism Forum

Popular Resources
We tapped the CDC for information on what you need to know about radiation exposure
Endocrinologist Mark Lupo, MD, answers 10 questions about thyroid disorders and how to treat them
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.